JUPITER, Fla. (AP) St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina gets a $1 million signing bonus as part of his new contract, which adds five additional seasons and $75 million through 2017.
The four-time Gold Glove winner already was set to make $7 million this year under his previous deal, and the signing bonus is payable within 30 days of the new contract getting approved by Major League Baseball. The agreement, announced Thursday, doubles his salary to $14 million in 2013, then pays him $15 million each in 2014 and 2015. His salary drops to $14 million annually in 2016 and 2017.
Molina's agreement includes a $15 million mutual option for 2018 with a $2 million buyout.
The 29-year-old has spent his entire big league career with St. Louis. He hit .305 with 14 homers and 65 RBIs last year.
